West Ham United v Blackburn Rovers
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday, 30th January 2010 - Kickoff 3pm

---

West Ham (16th) Home : 3-3-4 18:20

West Ham United are flirting dangerously with the relegation zone, and after failing to beat bottom side Portsmouth in midweek only goal difference is keeping West Ham out of the drop zone.

However, West Ham have been getting results recently at Upton Park with three wins coming in the last six games against Aston Villa, Burnley and Portsmouth, and three mixed results coming against tough opponents Man United, Chelsea and Everton.

With new owners in charge, things are on the up at West Ham, but there are still massive debts at the club and Premier League survival this season has to happen.

West Ham Team News :
West Ham's top scorer Carlton Cole is expected to start after being out since November with a knee injury.

Midfielder Scott Parker and defender Herita Ilunga have both recovered from hamstring injuries and return to the squad.

Injured : Boa Morte (knee), Hines (knee), Davenport (leg), Dyer (hamstring), Franco (hamstring), Gabbidon (hamstring)

Blackburn (11th) Away : 1-2-8 8:28

Blackburn Rovers have looked better in 2010 but nearly all the good performances are happening at home at Ewood Park, and the one away game played saw Blackburn slump to a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.

Blackburn won their mid-week game against Wigan 2-1, with Morten Gamst Pederson scoring the opener of the match. He's now scored on each of his last three Premier League starts and could be worth a score anytime bet at around 6/1 (7.00)

Blackburn Rovers Team News :
Blackburn's new signing Yildiray Basturk will not feature as he is not yet match fit.

David Dunn is ruled out with a calf problem, but Christopher Samba returns from suspension.

Injured : Dunn (calf), Grella (thigh), Jacobsen (thigh)

Head to head

Playing Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park is as good as it gets for West Ham, as the Hammers have won each of the last six encounters here with a 2-1 scoreline a common result.

In the reverse fixtures at Ewood Park, West Ham have won two and drawn two of the last four as well.

The Betting Verdict

I have West Ham as quite a solid pick to pick up all three points on Saturday afternoon, and would have been happy to take prices around 1.90 to 1.95.

Instead we can get prices of 2.10 and more, and that makes West Ham a good value play on Saturday.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

West Ham 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

West Ham 56% - Draw 30% - Blackburn 14%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take WEST HAM to win at a good price.